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Company Law Reform Bill [HL]

Perhaps the Minister could address—not necessarily this afternoon, but with his officials when he comes to consider the matter—what this will mean in practice. He talked about Clause 317 and the appointment of an assessor within a week, but there is no requirement for the assessor to produce a report within a specified period, as I read the provision. This seems to leave UK plc in a possible state of suspended animation while evidence is collected, people have time to think, give representations and so on. It does not fit with the reality of commerce, as I am sure in his heart of hearts the Minister really knows. It is a wonderful, theoretical idea we are discussing here, addressing a potential problem of which, at least on this side of the Committee, we have seen no evidence of a practical application and severe practical disadvantages. I hope that he will think—using his previous wide experience in commerce—about what this could mean to companies with a small minority of people who are determined to cause trouble about some action, who will call for and demand a poll, and the thing will take a long time to do. I hope that he will consider what that does to the actual operation of business. The Minister says, ““This is what that the Company Law Review says””, but that is not what I am concerned about. I am concerned with what is going to happen in the boardrooms of this country, not what is going to happen in barristers’ chambers and solicitors’ offices.